Does cost-benefit analysis or self-control predict involvement in bullying behavior by male prisoners?
The main aim of this study is to assess whether lack of self-control or the perceived costs and benefits of aggression provide the better predictors of bullying behavior and victimization, and direct aggression perpetration, in a sample of 122 male British prisoners. We also assessed whether bullying was associated with height and weight. Zero-order correlations showed that perceived benefits, self-control, and perceived costs were most closely associated with perpetration of bullying, and that lack of self-control was weakly associated with victimization. Height and weight were unrelated to bullying or victimization. In a standard regression analyses, perceived benefits was the strongest predictor of bullying perpetration, with lack of self-control contributing further; all three variables made a significant contribution when direct aggression was the criterion. Mediation analysis showed that a combined cost-benefit measure partially mediated the association between self-control and both bullying and direct aggression. The findings are discussed in relation to explanations of aggression based on impulse control or a cost-benefit analysis.
Archer
John
J
School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom. jarcher@uclan.ac.uk
Southall
Natalie
N
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019548:Crime Victims; D004739:England; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012637:Security Measures; D012649:Self Concept; D012930:Social Dominance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires